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Sip a cocktail with spectacular views from the coziest spot at Spinnaker Lounge or take a dip in one of five luxurious hot tubs. Whichever ship you choose, Alaska and the vacation of a lifetime await. Small ship cruises offer a more intimate experience, typically carrying between 50 to 200 passengers. These smaller vessels can navigate narrower channels and get closer to glaciers and wildlife.
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Pros and cons of small-ship cruising in Alaska - The Points Guy
Pros and cons of small-ship cruising in Alaska.
Posted: Sat, 11 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
When the famous naturalist John Muir explored Glacier Bay, much of the bay we have today did not yet exist. Ever changing, Glacier Bay National Park is still one of Alaska’s most popular coastal attractions and most visited national parks. Welcome to your go-to guide for Alaska Inside Passage Cruises in 2024.
Choosing the Best Inside Passage Alaska Cruise in 2024
All passengers regardless of their home country, citizenship or country of residency are responsible for obtaining the proper documentation for travel. This includes passports and visas for any country they may visit during their trip. Most cruises to Alaska's Inside Passage are seven nights long and typically begin and end in either Vancouver or Seattle. This "roundtrip" itinerary makes this a very popular cruise vacation because of the convenient flight schedules and availability of affordable roundtrip airline tickets in to and out of Vancouver and Seattle.
A D.I.Y. Trip Through Alaska’s Inside Passage - The New York Times
A D.I.Y. Trip Through Alaska’s Inside Passage.
Posted: Mon, 21 May 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Activities and Excursions during the Alaska Inside Passage Cruise
Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink. Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms. Along the Inside Passage, cruise passengers can see countless wildlife in the water (whales, orcas, sea lions, and seals), on the ground (bears), and in the air (eagles, raptors, and many water birds).
Spanning from 11- to 14-days, these cruise vacation packages include overnight stays in Denali, Anchorage, Fairbanks, Homer, Talkeetna, and Valdez. Exclusive to Norwegian, all Cruisetours are led by local Alaskan guides to provide you with an authentic Alaska experience. Having experienced the Inside Passage ourselves, we highly recommend taking advantage of the diverse shore excursions available. Whether it’s hiking through verdant forests, kayaking alongside glaciers, or immersing yourself in local culture, each excursion offers a unique way to connect with this incredible region.
Alaska Inside Passage Cruises: Everything You Need to Know
Join an adventure of a lifetime aboard the Aleutian Ballad, as seen on Discovery Channel’s - The Deadliest Catch. Discover the rich culture of Southeast Alaska’s Native Americans and witness a rip roaring lumberjack competition on this comprehensive tour of Ketchikan. With Agnes and Chris, you're not just reading another travel blog; you're tapping into a treasure trove of insider tips, curated itineraries, and invaluable insights to make your Alaskan journey truly unforgettable. Agnes Stabinska is the creative force and co-founder behind the Alaska Itinerary blog. With a degree in Tourism Management and postgraduate studies in Journalism, Agnes combines academic expertise with real-world experience.
Is There an Alternative to Inside Passage Alaska Cruises?
Experience the Alaskan wilderness; get up close to a glacier and marvel at the wildlife. Learn about the native craft and legends of totem poles or venture to Alaska’s misty fjords. World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display. The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination.
Cruising Alaska’s Inside Passage
Find low prices, loads of options, and enjoy flexibility and support should plans change. When cruising fjords, look for chubby otters and seals laying out on ice floes. You may see humpback whales, those baleen behemoths known for their frequent and photogenic breaching. Stay alert for crafty orcas who feed on salmon in the Alaska Inside Passage. The largest national forest in the country, Tongass National Forest, blankets the entire southeast Alaska portion of the Inside Passage, and many glaciers can still be seen. Many adventurous cruisers join an Inside Passage Alaska cruise visit or view majestic glaciers.
What Sets It Apart from Other Cruises
Alaska's Inside Passage is a renowned cruising route through a protected network of waterways, featuring glacier-cut fjords, lush rainforests, and diverse wildlife. Stops along the route showcase Alaska's rich history, including Native Alaskan culture in Ketchikan and Skagway's Gold Rush era legacy. This Inside Passage cruise docks near Vancouver’s biggest attractions, so you can spend more time sightseeing and less time getting from place to place. Air travel is a breeze with a convenient roundtrip and Saturday or Sunday departures. Features Alaska’s most historic ports and scenic natural wonderlands. Get an up-close view of Alaska’s wild seascapes, no matter which direction you look.
These glaciers and the icebergs they produce offer a once-in-a-lifetime visual feast for visitors. From the majestic humpback whales that breach the ocean’s surface to the awe-inspiring glaciers that carve the coastline, the Inside Passage is a living showcase of Mother Nature’s artistry. As the capital of Alaska, Juneau offers a mix of urban and natural attractions.
This roundtrip Inside Passage cruise from Vancouver delivers spellbinding scenery from narrow fjords to scattered islets and towering peaks. Get close to massive glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park and wait breathlessly for ice to calve off and plunge into the ocean. Inside Passage waters are as smooth as it gets, while on shore you’ll find endless thrills and chills. Fish for salmon in Ketchikan, helicopter onto Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, or ride the rails along the rugged White Pass Summit in Skagway. The Inside Passage encompasses islands, coves, bays, national parks, and fjords, and gives you the opportunity to explore remote towns only accessible by boat or plane. (home to Butchart Gardens and the storied Fairmont-Empress Hotel) or Vancouver.
Small ships -- such as the five in the Alaskan Dream Cruises fleet, each carrying between 12 and 76 typically adventure-minded passengers -- are a lesser-known option. Premium lines like Princess Cruises, Disney, Celebrity Cruises and Holland America along with luxury cruise lines, such as Regent Seven Seas, Viking Ocean Cruises and Oceania Cruises, also visit Alaska’s Inside Passage. Alaska's Inside Passage is the area that makes up the Southeast Region of Alaska. Approximately 1,000 miles North of Vancouver, it was the center of activity during Alaska's 19th century Gold Rush.
We know the destinations you'll be visiting and what there is to see, do and experience. We offer you a variety of excursions to choose from, in every port you'll visit. Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges and gathering places onboard.
Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy. This popular bar is at the top of the atrium and is the perfect locale for cocktails and dancing. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu. At New York Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies. Named for New York’s famed five boroughs, our signature pizzas are made to order and topped with only the finest ingredients. Enjoy your pizza by day while overlooking the Lido pool, and into the night.
This labyrinthine waterway is a complex network of fjords, bays, and lush islands—over 1,000 of them, to be exact. This article lets you uncover this breathtaking region’s hidden gems and must-see spots. We tell you what to pay attention to when choosing a cruise itinerary and what attractions you will find in individual ports of call in the Inside Passage.

The Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve is a must-visit, especially during the winter months when thousands of eagles can be spotted. Below is our curated list of Alaska’s Inside Passage ports of call, complete with personal photos, recommendations, and links to in-depth articles about each location. This guide is designed to help you tailor your itinerary, including the towns and attractions that align perfectly with your interests.